PS 3505 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
. 0548 

1917 Is the Twig is Bent'' 

K A Rural School Drama 



B3f 

ESTELLE COOK 



Social Service Bureau 

1361 Cleveland Ave. No. St. Paul, Minn. 



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As the Twig Is Bent'' 

A Rural School Drama 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

Miss Best, a rural school teacher. 
Kate, 



, her pupils. 

Nina, ' 

Lawrence Sprague, the big boy, called "Larry." 

Gerald, who lisps. 

AIrs. Williams, the teacher's friend. 

, ^ " _^ ' I members of the School Board. 

Mr. Peterson, \ 

A^Rs. Long, who boards the teacher. 

Mrs. Sharp, who helps "run the school." 

Mrs. Butler, who was "well brought up." 

Biddy, the Irish "help." 

Weary Willie, a tramp. 



ACT L 
A one room school. 

ACT IL 
Sitting room at Mrs. Long's. 

ACT IIL 
The new teacherage. 



Copyright 1917 

BY 

The Author 



P 5 3505 






©CtD 48008 



OCT -5 1917 



''As the Twig Is Bent'' 



ACT I. 

Scene, a one room school room. Doors right and left, win- 
dow center. Blackboard with the quot<ition "As the tzvig is bent 
the tree inclines/' is on wall at left center. Table with industrial 
work and Babcock testing machine up stage at right. Pupils' 
seats at right center, teacher's desk and bookcase left center. 
Books and papers litter the desk, A vase of withered flozvers is 
also on the table. A bench with a pail of water is near the door 
on the right. 

Miss Best, the teacher, is working at her desk, Kate and Nina 
are cleaning the board, Larry is sprawled at his desk at the back 
of room. 

Tr. That is enough, girls. The boards look very well. 

Kate. Can I clean your desk, Miss Best? 

Tr. Yes, you may put it in order if you wish (rising). Be 
careful and do not disturb any of these papers. 

Nina. What can I do ? 

Tr. You can do a lot of things (smiling at her). You may 
.put these books in the bookcase. 

Nina (taking books). I always forget about can and may. 

Tr. Don't you think there are some mothers who would like 
to have their little helpers at home? 

Nina. Na, my mother don't need me. If she does I'd lots 
rather help you. 

Kate. So would I, teacher. Besides, we want to wait for 
you. 

Tr. Not tonight, girls. I am going to stay a long, long time. 
I must put some arithmetic problems on this board that you 
have made so nice and clean. Then I am going to sweep the 
floor and dust and do a lot of things. (Begins writing problems 
on board.) 

Kate. Let us sweep the floor; we'd like to just fine. 

Nina. I know how. Mother makes me sweep the kitchen 
floor. 

Tr. No, you have helped me quite enough. Now you must 
put on your things and go home. 

Kate. May I take this book home to read? I'll be awful 
careful of it? 

Tr. You did not forget that time. Yes, Kate, you may take 
it home and let me see — , Nina may take these number cards. 



4 ' AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Nina (taking cards). Thank you. 

Tr. Tomorrow, Kate, I want you to tell us one of the stories 
you have read, and, Nina, I will see how many of these num- 
bers you can add correctly. Now run along. 

Kate. You know, teacher, I like to go to school awfully 
well. Last year my mother could hardly get me to go ; but this 
year she can't keep me to home. 

Tr. Would you mind calling me Miss Best, instead of 
teacher? (Smiling.) I am sure that you would rather have your 
friends call you Kate than little girl. 

Kate. I just hate to be called that. 

Tr. What do you like about school, Kate? 

Kate. I like the stories you tell us, and our sewing lessons, 
and the games we play and — 

Nina (interrupting) . I like the canning club best (looking 
at a can of fruit) . Next year I want to be president. 

Tr. (putting her arms around them and taking them to the 
door). I am glad that we can have such good times together, 
but you must go. I have work to do, and I know that your 
mothers will be looking for you. Good-night. 

(Exeunt Kate and Nina, R.) 

Larry (laughing) . They are harder to get rid of than a wind- 
mill agent. Why don't you throw them out? 

Tr. What is keeping you so long? 

Larry. I can't get this example. 

Tr. Why? (going to him). Don't you understand it? 

Larry (rising). I thought I did, but somehow it won't come 
out right. 

Tr. Let me look at it. Here is your difficulty. You did not 
subtract the cost of the feed before you worked out the per cent 
of profit the farmer made on his hogs. 

Larry. I knew there must be some mistake, for a farmer 
could never make that big profit. Now I'll get it done in a jiffy. 

(Enter Kate and Nina, R.) 

Kate. Oh, Miss Best, there is an awfully pretty bird out on 
that old dead tree, and we don't know what kind it is. 

Tr. (going to zvindow). Where is it? 

Kate (pointing). There. Don't you see it on that dead 
limb ? 

Tr. Don't you know that bird? It is a woodpecker. It is 
trying to get some worms out of that old tree. Here is a picture 
of it. (Shows picture.) This bulletin tells all about it. 

Nina. Look, Kate, there is the same spot on its head. 

Kate. Tell us about it. Miss Best. 

Tr. I will in the morning. We will have that for our nature 
study lesson. 

Kate. Oh, goody! 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 5 

Tr. Phoebe Gary has written a very pretty story in verse 
telling about the red-headed woodpecker. I will read that to 
you too, tomorrow. 

Nina. I wish it was tomorrow now. 

Kate. I liked our tree lesson that we had this morning, you 
know, about the straight tree and the crooked one. 

Nina. Poor little crooked tree ! He didn't have a fair show, 
did he? 

Tr. Do you remember the quotation? 

Kate and Nina (together). "As the twig is bent the tree 
inclines." 

Tr. (picking up a vase of withered flowers). Now you must 
hurry home. Your mothers will think that I have kept you after 

(Exit Miss Best, L.) 

Kate. You didn't know that quotation • I saw you look at 
the board. 

Nina. You didn't either. 

Kate. I did to. I saw you look sideways at the board. 
(Rubbing out quotation) Now see if you can say it. 

Nina. "As the twig is bent the tree inclines." Smarty ! I 
wish teacher had let me have a story book instead of these old 
number cards. I hate them. 

Kate. Miss Best don't want to be called teacher. I know 
why she let me have the book. 

Nina. Why ? 

Kate. Cause. ' 

Nina. Cause why? 

Kate. I won't tell. 

Nina. Please. 

Kate (shaking head). Hum um. 

Nina. I'll do something awfully nice if j^ou'll tell me. 

Kate. What? 

Nina. Pll let you wear my garnet ring. 

Kate. The one you got for your birthday? 

Nina. Yep. (Giving her ring.) 

Kate. Well, it's because teacher likes me better than she 
does you. 

Nina. She don't either. 

Kate. She does to. 

Nina. How do you know? 

Kate. Ma says I'm teacher's pet. and I guess she knows. 

Nina. Your ma don't know nothing. 

Kate. She does to. 

Nina. She don't know half as much as my mother. Mrs. 
Sharp said your mother told all she knew. 

Kate. Mrs. Sharp never said such a thing. 

Nina. She did to. She was talking to ma in the kitchen 
one night when I was washing dishes, and I heard her, T did. 



6 AS THE TWIG JS BENT 

Larry. Here you kids, stop your noise ; I can't hear myself 
think. 

Nina {making a face a Larry). Shut up! She said to ma, 
she said, "that Mrs. Long tells everything she knows." 

Kate. Mrs. Sharp is a horrid, mean old thing, and so are 
you too. 

Nina. I'm not. 

Kate. You are just as horrid as you can be, and I hate you. 

Nina. I'm not horrid {slapping her). You take that for be- 
ing so mean. {They begin to fight.) 

Larry {jumping up and separating them). Here you little 
fighting cocks, behave yourselves. What would Miss Best say 
if she knew that you were fighting over such a silly thing? 

Nina. I'm not a fighting cock, smarty. 

Larry. You'll be an old hen if you keep on the way you have 
started. 

{Nina makes faces at Larry, Kate drops in seat and begins 
crying.) 

{Enter Miss Best, L. carrying broom.) 

Tr. What is the matter? Kate, what are j^ou crying about? 

Kate {sobbing). Nina slapped me. 

Tr. Nina, did you slap Kate? 

Nina {sullenly). Yes, I did. 

Tr. Why, Nina Britton, I'm ashamed of you ! 

Larry. Kate got what was coming to her. Miss Best. They 
were both pretty much to blame. 

Tr. Then I'm ashamed of both of you. I have always 
thought that you were the best of friends. What shall I do 
with you? 

Larry. You might take away the book and number cards, 
that's where the row started. 

Nina {making a face). Tattle-tale. 

Tr. I see. No, I won't take them away, but I will tell you 
why I gave Kate a book and Nina the cards. You know, girls, 
it is hard for some persons to learn to read and easy to learn 
numbers. Sometimes it is just the other way. Now, Kate can 
get her numbers easily but needs help in reading. On the other 
hand, Nina can read more easily than she can do numbers. She 
must put her time on those. Do you see? 

Nina {going to teacher and putting her arms around her). 
Then you don't like her better than you do me? 

Tr. Of course not; but I won't like either of you if you 
quarrel. The best thing for you little chums to do is to help 
each other. Nina can help Kate with her reading, and Kate can 
drill Nina on her numbers. 

Kate. Do you mean play teacher? 

Tr. That is just what I mean. Nina can be teacher first 
and hear your reading lesson, then you will be teacher and give 
her a number lesson drill. Now run along. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 7 

(Enter Biddy, R.) 

Biddy. The missus was after sending me for Katie. She 
said if ye was kapin' her after school ye was to let her come 
home. She wants to fit a dress onto her. 

Tr. No, I'm not keeping her. See how much trouble you 
have made by not going home when you should. 

Biddy. Sure it's no trouble at all, at all. I was glad to get 
a little step outside the kitchen. You'll be coming home yourself 
soon? 

Tr. Yes, Biddy, but don't wait for me. 

Biddy. Sure, it's workin' long hours ye are, I'm thinkin'. 
Well, so long. 

(Exeunt Biddy, Kate and Nina, R.) 

Larry (laughing). They are worse to get rid of than a 
windmill agent working a tornado insurance combination. 

Tr. Did you get your problems? (She examines problems.) 

Larry. I guess they are all right now. I like to do these 
problems that show us how to work out the profits on the farm. 
There is something to them. When I was in school before I had 
to spend all of my time on examples like cube root and longi- 
tude and time, and — 

Tr. (interrupting) . I believe that our time is too valuable to 
spend it working out problems that we will never by any chance 
use in after life (laughing). I find that subtraction is the process 
that I use for the most part. 

Larry. If I study hard and stay and work nights, do you 
think I can pass the eighth grade examinations? 

Tr. I think so. Why? 
, Larry. I've been reading a bulletin of the School of Agri- 
culture and I've about made up my mind that I would like to 
go there. 

Tr. (getting the broom and beginning to sweep). I wish that 
you could. The school offers a splendid course for those who 
intend to be farmers. 

Larry (taking the broom away from her). Here, let me 
sweep while you put your lessons on the board for tomorrow. 

Tr. Do you know how? 

Larry. Maybe not as well as you do ; but if I don't get the 
floor clean you can make me do it over again. 

(Tr. goes to board and puts number lesson on.) Gee! I 
wish I knew as much as you do (watches her for a minute). I'll 
bet that I am as old as you are, or older. 

Tr. Why aren't you farther along in school? You should 
be in high school or college. 

Larry. Well, you see, Miss Best, it was just this way. I 
always hated school, and the folks couldn't make me go. I made 
up my mind that as soon as I was twenty-one I would go to the 
city and get a job. I talked it over with a feller I know, and 
he told me that I'd have a better show if I had some more school- 
ing. That is how I happened to come this fall. 



8 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

(Enter Gerald R., looks through desk.) 

Larry. Say, kid, didn't you go home? 

Gerald. Yeth, b-but I came back again. 

Larry. What for? 

Gerald. I f-f-forgot thomthin'. ■;. 

Larry. What is it? 

Gerald (looking under seat). I shan't tell. 

Larry. Why ? 

Gerald. Oh, c-cause. 

Larry. Cause what. 

Gerald (looking under desk). Cause I don't have to. 

Larry. You're a pretty smart kid. 

Tr. What are you looking for? 

Gerald. Thomthin' I for-for-forgot. 

Tr. (going to Gerald). What is it? Perhaps I can help you 
find it. They say that women can find things more easily than 
men. (Pause.) Is it your pencil? 

Gerald (looking through desk). No m-m-ma'am. 

Tr. Is it a book you want to use tonight? 

Gerald. No, m-m-ma'am. 

Tr. Or your writing tablet? 

Gerald (looking under desk). No, m-m-ma'am. 

Larry. Maybe he is looking for his rubbers. 

Tr. Have you looked out in the cloak room? « 

Gerald. No, m-m-ma'am. 

Tr. Perhaps it is there. 

Gerald. No ma'am, I've found it (holding up gum). It wath 
my gum. I s-s-stuck it under my desk; then I f -forgot it. 

(Exit Gerald, R.) 

(Tr. breaks into fits of laughter.) 

Larry (looking at her in surprise). What in thunder are 
you laughing at? 

Tr. (between spasms of laughter.) It's so funny. 

Larry (looking at her in surprise). What's funny? That 
kid? 

Tr. Everything, Larry, everything, 

Larry (looking out of window). Here comes someone, an 
old lady. (Takes up broom and begins sweeping.) 

Tr. (going to door). I must be good now. 

(Enter Mrs. Williams, R.) 
Tr. Oh, Aunty Williams, I am surprised and delighted to see 



you 



Mrs. Williams (kissing her). How do 3^ou do. Helen? I 
had to go over to Riverside to get some jelly glasses; I am 
finishing up my grape jelly; and I thought I would drive around 
this way and see you. I want to have a talk with you. 

Tr. I am ever so glad you came. (Showing fruit.) See 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 9 

what my girls have been doing. We have organized a canning 
club. 

Mrs. Williams. Did the children do that? 

Tr. Yes. Isn't it lovely ! 

Mrs. Williams. Yes, it looks good. But you haven't been 
over to. see us for a long time. 

Tr. Have this chair, Aunty. I have wanted to come, but my 
lesson plans and the papers I must correct keep me pretty busy 
outside of school hours. 

Mrs. Williams. Surely, Helen, you don't do those on Sun- 
day? 

Tr. I am helping in the Sunday School, too. 

Mrs. Williams. I mustn't stay long as it is getting late (sit- 
ting). I came to see you about something in particular. 

Tr. (sitting at desk). Yes. 

Mrs. Williams. You know your mother was my best friend. 
When your father died and left her to bring you up, and educate 
you, I always felt as if she were having a pretty hard time of it. 

Tr. (with feeling). Poor mother worked very hard for 
me ; I didn't realize at the time how hard. 

Mrs. Williams. When she died, just after you graduated, I 
said to Sam, "We tpust do all we can for Hetty's little girl." 

Tr. That was very kind of you. Auntie Williams. 

Mrs. Williams. It was only natural. That was why when 
this district needed a new teacher I persuaded Sam to see the 
board and apply for the place for you. Sam has a good deal 
of influence here even if we don't live in this district. 

Tr. I know he has. 

Mrs. Williams. So you see Sam and me feel as if we were 
responsible for you. 

Tr. I never would have been here if you hadn't found the 
position for me. I needed the work badly, too. 

Mrs. Williams. And you are going to keep on needing it, 
ain't you? 

Tr. Yes, I must work. I haven't any money. 

Mrs. Williams. It would be a mighty bad thing for you if 
you lost this position, wouldn't it? You could hardly get an- 
other without a recommend. 

Tr. (rising in alarm). Lost this position! What do you 
mean? 

Mrs. Williams. Don't get scared. Your Auntie Williams 
don't intend to let you lose it. That is why I came around to 
see you when I ought to be tending to my grapes. Sit down. 

Tr. (sitting). What is the trouble? 

Mrs. Williams. Just this. A good deal of talk has been 
going the rounds about the things you have been teaching the 
children. 

Tr. (laughing). Don't worry about that. The teacher al- 
ways expects to be the center of all the community gossip. 

Mrs. Williams. But, this is more than gossip. I suppose 



10 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

you got some high flutin' notions in that school you graduated 
from. Take my advice and forget them. They ain't needed in 
a country school. 

Tr. Tell me. What am I teaching that is being criticised. 

Mrs. Williams. One thing is that you are wasting the chil- 
dren's time teaching things in school that they might better 
learn at home of their mothers. Things like cooking and sew- 
ing. 

Tr. Yes, and what else? 

Mrs. Williams. That the boys are fooling around whittling 
things out of wood when they ought to be studying. You know, 
Helen, farmer's children don't have much time to go to school, 
and they have to make the best use of the time they do get. They 
ain't like city folks, running to school all of their lives. 

Tr. I know that perfectly well. That is why I am teaching 
the things I do. I am trying to train my boys and girls to live 
in a better way on the farm. 

Mrs. Williams. That is you idea, is it? 

Tr. I want them to understand and love farm life. That is 
why I am teaching domestic science and manual training. I 
have also taken up seed and milk testing. If we want our boys 
to stay on the farm, then we must make farm work interesting. 
I am trying to do constructive teaching. 

Mrs. Williams. So that's it. It is worse than I supposed. 
Helen, your father was a good man, but he was mighty set in 
his ways. I hope you don't take after him. 

Tr. {laughing). Then you would have me like the man who 
said that he could teach that the earth was round or flat to suit 
the district? 

Mrs. Williams. Helen, I want you to be a sensible girl like 
your mother was. (Rising.) I must go now. Remember what 
it will mean to you, to all of us, if this "constructive teaching," 
as you call it, loses you your job. 

Tr. Why, Auntie Williams, the whole thing is absurd. They 
can't take my school away from me for teaching the things that 
should be taught in rural schools. / 

Mrs. Williams. The farmers aren't as big fools as some 
people think they are. They pay big taxes to support the schools. 
They know what they want. When they send their children to 
school they want them to learn the same things that they would 
learn if they went to town to school ; reading, arithmetic, gram- 
mar, and spelling. 

Tr. I teach all of those subjects. 

Mrs. Williams. Maybe you do. I won't say that you don't 
try. But I was just looking at that stuff you have on the black- 
board. What do you call that? 

Tr, That is the fourth grade arithmetic lesson. 

Mrs. Williams. That is just what I am talking about, and 
every one else in the district. I used to teach school before I 
was married and I know an arithmetic lesson when I see it. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 11 

That lesson is all about corn and potatoes and hogs and milk. 
The children get all that to home. When they go to school 
they want something different. I know all about it. 

Tr. Can't you see that I am giving them the same processes 
in terms that they understand and must use on the farm? 

Mrs. Williams. I see that you are making yourself the 
laughing stock of the town, and Sam and I have to stand the 
brunt of it because we brought you here. (Wipes her eyes.) 

Tr, {putting her arms around her). Aunty, I am very sorry 
that I have made trouble for you. I'll try my best to do better. 
Indeed I will. 

AIrs. Williams (wiping her eyes). Now you are just like 
your mother. Tell me, do you still have to sleep with that Irish 
woman ? 

Tr. Biddy isn't so bad. She is very kind to me. Perhaps I 
will be glad to have her for a bed fellow when the weather 
gets cold. There is no way of heating the room. I just wish 
that I could persuade the district to build a teacher's cottage like 
they have in some states, but I would only get into worse dis- 
favor. 

Mrs. Williams. You can tell me. 

Tr. (picking up a paper and shoiving it to her). Here is the 
picture of one. The teacher lives right next the school house. 
She is independent instead of having to live in a home where 
she is not wanted. 

Mrs. Williams. That would be good for the teacher, and the 
district, too. It is always hard to get anyone to board her in 
our district. 

Tr. Then the teacher has a chance to teach the girls prac- 
tical housekeeping — 

Mrs. Williams (interrupting). As I told 3^ou before, they 
don't want to learn that in school. They have that to home. 

Tr. From what I have seen in some homes I should say 
that they needed it badly. They aren't- all as good housekeepers 
as you are. 

Mrs. Williams. Tut, tut ! There you go again. The farm- 
ers have plenty to eat and wear and that is all they ne^d. I'm go- 
ing home before I quarrel with you. You are so headstrong — 

Tr, (laughing). Just like my father. I won't say anything 
more about the teacher's cottage and I will come over next Sun- 
day, and please have some of your Parker House rolls. Aunty 
Williams. You must teach me how to make them. 

Mrs. Williams. Shaw ! A teacher doesn't have to cook. 

Tr. T might want to teach someone else, you know (laugh- 
ing), but not in this district. Good-bye. 

Mrs. Williams. I don't know what to make of you, Helen, 
but I'll expect you Sunday. Good-bye. 

(Exit Mrs. Williams, L.) 



12 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

(Tr. comes back Jo her desk and sits down in a thoughtful 
attitude.) 

Larry (coming forward). Is the floor clean enough^ Miss 
Best? If it isn't I'll do it over again. 

Tr. Why, Larry, are you still here? Why didn't you go 
home ? 

Larry. I bargained to sweep the floor for you. 

Tr. That was done ages ago. 

Larry. Well, teacher, excuse me I mean. Miss Best, it was 
just this way, I couldn't help but hear what that old woman 
was saying to you. 

Tr. You mustn't speak that way of Mrs. Williams; she is 
my best friend. 

Larry. Oh, she means all right. But I was just hanging 
around ; I wanted a chance to tell her a few things that she 
don't know. I've gone to this school ever since I was a little 
shaver and I've hated it worse than poison. Me and the other 
kids skipped school every chance we got. Why? Just because 
the teachers were giving us the kind of dope that she wants to 
make you give us. Don't you do it, teacher. Your kind is the 
kind that helps. You have shown us that farming is a busi- 
ness just the same as any other, and the farmer to be successful 
must use his brain. You have made our work mean a lot. Why, 
the kids wouldn't miss a day if you paid them for it. What 
does a lot of gossiping old women know about it, anyhow? 

Tr. Why, Larry, you are quite an orator. 

Larry. You've made me what I am. Now it is up to you to 
finish the job. (Looking out of window.) This must be your 
visiting day. Here comes another visitor. 

Tr. Do you know who it is? 

Larry. Peter Oscar Peterson, honored member of the school 
board. 

(Enter Mr. Peterson, R.) 

Tr. How do you do, Mr. Peterson? 

Mr. Peterson. Perty" gude, tank you (shaking hands). 
How's yourself? 

Tr. Very well. Won't you have this chair? 

Mr. Peterson. Na. ay vas yust going past and ay saw the 
school door open so ay yust valked in har. 

Tr. We are always glad to have the parents of our pupils 
visit us. 

Mr. Peterson. My son, Yohn, how is he making it? 

Tr. John is very much interest in his work, and is doing 
well. 

Mr. Peterson. So ! Ay don't speak Anglish gude, ay yust 
look around, ya. 

Tr. That is right. (Shozving the industrial work.) Here 
are some things the boys are making. ThivS weaving is done by 
the little folks, 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 13 

Mr. Peterson. Ya. 

Tr. The girls are making these aprons. This is our Bab- 
cock testing machine. 

Mr. Peterson. Ya, ay know ham. 

Tr. We have organized a district testing association. Your 
John was elected president. 

Mr. Peterson. How much dis tast machine cost? 

Tr. We bought it, and these seed cases, from the money we 
made from a harvest festival. I don't remember just what we 
gave ; do you, Larry ? 

Larry. Yes, we gave $9.75 for them. 

Tr. The agricultural instructor from one of the high schools 
came out and gave a talk to the boys on testing. He showed 
them that some of their cows were not paying for their keep. 

Mr. Peterson. So? 

Tr. The boys got so interested that they started a testing 
association of their own. 

Mr. Peterson (to Larry). Ay tank you stay to school pretty 
late, ya. 

Larry. I'm looking for a job. You are on the school board. 
I want to hire out as janitor. 

Mr. Peterson. Yanitor, vat's dat? 

Larry. The one who sweeps the floor, and builds the fires, 
and brings in wood, and — 

Mr. Peterson. De school ma'am, he do dat, ya. 

Larry. Nothing doing, then? 

Tr. (showing seed cases). I am having the children make 
collections of weed seeds. 

Mr. Peterson. Ay vont my Yohn to learn Anglish. Ay vont 
ham to learn to read and spell. Ay didn't have no shance ven 
ay vas young. Ay vont my Yohn to have a shance, ya. 

(Larry looks slyly at Miss Best smiling.) 

Tr. Larry, did you tell me something about a windmill agent 
awhile ago? 

Larry. I'm going. Good-night, Miss Best. 

(Exit Larry, R.) 

Tr. (bravely) . We will try to give John the best chance we 
can. Mr. Peterson. 

Mr. Peterson. So? Veil, ay tank ay skall go now, too. 

Tr. Come and visit us sometime when the children are here. 
I should like to have you see them at work. 

Mr. Peterson. Ya, tank you. ay vill. (Shaking hands.) 
Good-bye. 

Tr. Good-bye, Mr. Peterson. I'm glad that you came in. 

(Exit Mr. Peterson, R.) 

Tr. (going to desk and sitting down with a sigh). What 
next? (Laughs, picks up a paper, looks at it, drops it, drops head 
on desk.) 



14 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

(Enter Tramp.) 

(The tramp's face first appears in the window, then he enters, 
slightly intoxicated. He staggers up to the waterpail, looks 
around for a dipper then drinks from the side of pail. He next 
discovers the figure at the desk, and his face lights up. He 
swaggers up to the table.) 

Tramp. A hem ! 

Tr. (jumping up frightened). What do you want, sir? 

Ttamp. Now don't get mad. I ain't hurtin' 'ye by comin' in, 
am I. Jisht come in fer a drink an' a squint at the purty 
teacher. Shay, you look like a purty gay little bird. 

Tr. (trembling). How dare you sir! 

Tramp. No 'ffense, Mish, I jist like to look at ye, thash all. 

Tr. Will you please leave this room at once ! 

Tramp. My looks ain't pleasin' you. Ho, ho, ho. 

Tr. I said for you to get out of this room. Do you hear? 

Tramp. Gettin' mad, eh? I'll see about that. (Starts to go 
around the desk. Tr. rushes to the other side. The tramp 
crosses and gets between her and the door. Tr. picks up the 
ruler.) Sho that's your game is it? Eh? Well I'll fix you. 
(Lurches toward her.) 

Tr. Help! help! (drops the ruler and sinks into the chair 
covering her face with her hands.) 

(Enter Larry, R.) 

Larry. Here you scoundrel, get out. (Grabs tramp, there 
is a struggle. Tr. screams, Larry pushes tramp to the door, an- 
other struggle he gets tramp out and locks door.) 

Tr. (rushing to Larry and clinging to him,). Oh, Larry, I'm 
so f riglitened I 

Larry (patting her). It's all right. He can't come back. 

Tr. How did you happen to come? 

Larry. I passed him down the road, then I watched him. 
When I saw — 

Tr. (realising that she is clinging to him, jumps azvay). Oh, 
Larry, what must you think? 

Larry. Do you want to know? (Roguishly.) I thought 
that I was in the tenth heaven. 

Tr. Larry Lawrence Sprague, I'm ashamed of you! 

Larry. Fm ashamed of myself. Please excuse me. Just 
the same I'm mighty glad I followed that tramp. 

Tr. And so am I. (Drops into the chair laughing.) 

(Curtain.) 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 15 



ACT II. 



Scene. Mrs. Long's sitting-room. Doors right and left. 
The floor is covered with a bright-flowered carpet. A sofa, 
piled with colored pillows, up left. A center table, covered with 
cheap bric-a-brac, at right center. Two wooden chairs are at 
right and left of table. A wooden rocking chair is at right cen- 
ter. Up right is a whatnot holding shells and other brac-a-brac. 
The walls are hung with cheap, colored pictures and family por- 
traits. The numerous decorations of the room are more showy 
than pleasing. 

Mrs. Long, a worn out, farmer s wife, is dusting the table, 
Biddy, up right, is rolling her hands in her blue gingham kitchen 
apron. 

Mrs. Long. As I told you, Biddy, I am expecting company 
this afternoon and we will have to give them something to eat. 

Biddy. Yes, mum. 

Mrs. Long (dusting the card receiver). I don't for the life 
of me see why folks think they have to eat between meals jest 
because they are visitin'. They wouldn't touch a mouthful if they 
were to home. I guess we're all pretty much pigs. 

Biddy. Yes, mum. 

Mrs, Long (looking at her sharply). What's that you're say- 
in'? 

Biddy. I was sayin' that it made it friendly like. 

Mrs. Long. Them biscuits I made this mornin' will be riz by 
four o'clock. You can put them in the oven, be sure you have 
a hot fire, and then make some good coffee. You can put a 
pitcher of cream on the table when you get it set. Set it in the 
dinin' room; and put on the chocolate cake and some straw- 
berry perserves. 

Biddy. Anything else, mum? 

Mrs. Long. Yes, slice up some cold meat ; and you can save 
some lunch for the teacher. I s'pose she will be as hungry as a 
bear when she gets home from school, she always is. 

Biddy. Sure, an' I'll do that, mum. My, but she's the swate 
girl, just like an angel from heaven, she is, with her purty ways. 
Last night our room was freezin' cold, it was, and she just 
snuggled up to me like a little kitten, and she says, says she, 
"Biddy, you've saved my life this winter." She said that, the 
darlin'. 

Mrs. Long. She'd better stop her complainin' about that room. 
It would be plenty warm enough if she would only keep the 
window shut. 

Biddy. Complainin', law me, I didn't say she was complainin'. 
Sure, she wouldn't do that if she had to slape in a snow drift. 

Mrs. Long. Haven't you said about enough about that 
teacher? It's bad enough to have to have her around botherin', 
without havin' you singin' her praises from mornin' till night. 



16 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Biddy. Ye never give her credit for the kind heart of her, 
mum. Listen now. I had woord from my sister in Canada that 
she was all burned out an' needed clothes. And what do ye 
think? She gave me the dress right off her back, she did, and 
twinty-five dollars in money. I hated to take it for the poor 
girl has little enough to live on, with her father and mother dead, 
an' all. 

Mrs. Long. Biddy, did you ever hear of people being "too 
sweet to be wholesome?" 

Biddy. That's not the school teacher at all, at all. She was 
after tellin' me that when she got the new teacher's cottage, I am 
to come and live wid her. Sure, that will be heaven on earth ! 

Mrs Long. You will be in your grave, and the teacher too, 
before the district will build her a cottage to live in. Now go 
into the kitchen and finish up your work. I hear them comin'. 

Biddy. More's the pitty, say L 

Mrs. Long. What did you say? 

Biddy. Sure, I was talkin' about the cottage for Miss Best, 



the darlin'. 



(Exit Biddy, R.) 



(Enter Mrs. Sharp, a thin, angular woman, and Mrs. Butler, who 
is rather stout, L.) 

Mrs. Long. Come right in. I am glad that you could come. 
Mrs. Butler. Thank you. We're glad that you invited us. 
Mrs. Long. Did anyone take care of your horse? 
Mrs. Sharp. No, I just tied him to a tree out there. I guess 
he'll be all right. 

Mrs. Long {going to door, R.) . Biddy, Biddy, come here. 

{Enter Biddy, R.) 
Biddy. Yes, mum. 

Mrs. Long. Go out and put Mrs. Sharp's horse in the barn. 
Biddy. Yes, mum. 

Mrs, Butler {taking off hat). How are you, Biddy? 
Biddy. Purty well, mum. How's yourself? 
Mrs. Long {sharply). Biddy! 
Biddy. Yes, mum. I'm going right away, mum. 

{Exit Biddy, L.) ^ 

Mrs. Long. You once get Biddy started and you'll never get 
your horse put up. I guess I forgot to tell you to take off your 
things. 

Mrs, Sharp. We didn't wait to be asked. 

Mrs. Long. You can lay them on the sofa; that is all it is 
good for. It's so hard no one can set on it. Have the rocking- 
chair, Mrs. Sharp. I am sorry I don't have two comfortable 
chairs. Long thinks if he has one to set in that is all that's neces- 
sary. 



AS THE TWIG -IS BENT 17 

Mrs.. Butler (sitting left of table). I always prefer a 
straight chair. (Taking crazy quilt block from bag.) I brought 
my work along. 

Mrs. Sharp. What are you making? 

Mrs. Butler. I'm piecing a quilt out of the silk pieces I've 
saved ever since I was married. (Showing it.) That gray 
piece is my wedding dress. 

Mrs. Long. You don't say. 

Mrs. Butler (proudly). This green square is a piece of my 
'pearing out dress. My, how they all stared when we walked 
into church the Sunday after we was married. You could hear 
it rustle all over the meeting house. Feel how stifif it is. 

Mrs. Sharp. I s'pose you got more attention that day than 
the preacher. 

Mrs. Long. You must have had money to buy two silk 
dresses. 

Mrs. Bu-^ler. My father was a wealthy man. I haven't al- 
ways had to work like I have since I married Jed Butler and 
come here to live on a farm. I'll tell you one thing I won't 
let either of my girls marry farmers. 

Mrs. Sharp. Girls marry who they please these days. 

Mrs. Butler (rising and going between ladies). This white 
silk, with the for-get-me-nots sewed on it, was a piece of my 
mother's shroud (sniffing). I must have dropped my handker- 
chief in the buggy. I'll go out and get it. 

(Exit Mrs. Butler, L.) 

Mrs. Sharp (throwing it on table). Did you ever in all your 
born days see anything as homely as that patchwork? 

Mrs. Long. She just brought it along to show off how many 
silk dresses she had. 

(Enter Mrs. Butler.) 

Mrs. Butler. How many bushels did you say, Susan? 

Mrs. Sharp (confused). Well, — well, — I don't remember 
just how many there was. It didn't take you long to find your 
handkerchief. 

Mrs. Butler. No, I dropped it right out here on the step. 

Mrs. Sharp. I didn't bring such beautiful work as you did. 
I just fetched the family darnin'. (Begins darning socks.) 
Have you heard about the new sewing machine for the school? 

Mrs. Butler. No, do tell. 

Mrs. Sharp. You know my man is on the board. It seems 
that the new teacher is trying to teach sewin' to them young 
ones. 

Mrs. Butler. I heard about it. 

Mrs. Sharp (looking around cautiously). She won't hear us, 
will she? 

Mrs. Long. No. She ain't to home yet. 



18 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Mrs. Sharp. She asked the board to buy a machine for the 
school. 

Mrs. Long. What nonsense! 

Mrs. Butler. The idea! 

Mrs. Sharp. Long talked it over with me, and I soon told 
him what I thought about it. 

Mrs. Butler. So they wouldn't do it. 

Mrs. Sharp. Now she is having the children bring in old 
papers, and old rubbers, and all kinds of old junk to sell. She 
says if they don't get enough to buy a machine in that way, she 
is goin' to put on a play to raise money for it. 

Mrs. Butler. She seems to think she knows more about run- 
ning the school than the school board. 

Mrs. Sharp. The folks ought to stay home from her show. 

Mrs. Long. They won't. Most people are crazy to see their 
kids show off. I'm glad I'm not made that waj^ 

{Enter Kate and Nina, L.) 

Kate. Ma, I brought Nina home to play with me. I knew 
Mrs. Sharp was here and she could have a ride home. 

Mrs. Long. Can't you speak to the ladies, Kate? 

Kate. How do you do? 

Mrs. Sharp. What did you do in school today? 

Kate. We learned a new Easter song. 

Mrs. Butler. Sing it for us. 

Kate. I can't. I don't know it very well. 

Mrs. Long {snapping her finger). Stand up and sing it for 
the ladies, Kate, when they ask you to. Don't act silly, now. 

Kate. Nina will have to sing it with me. 

Nina. I don't know it. 

Kate. You do to. 

Mrs. Butler. Both of you sing it. 

Mrs. Long. Kate, I don't want to have to speak to you again. 
{Kate and Nina sing Easter song.) 

Mrs. Sharp. That's a Sunday School song. What do they 
learn them that in school for? 

Mrs. Long. They learn them a lot of things in school that 
might better be left out. It's just fooling away the children's 
time. 

Mrs. Butler. I think that song was real pretty. 

Mrs. Long. What did you have for lunch today? 

Kate. Teacher made some scalloped corn. 

Mrs. Long. But you don't eat corn at home. 

Kate. Mama, this was good corn. 

{Ladies laugh.) 
Mrs. Long. Did you ever hear of anything so ridiculous as 
cooking a meal at noon for that mob of young ones? It just 
makes me mad. As if the mothers couldn't put up good enough 
lunches for their children. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 19 

Mrs. Sharp. There's a lot of queer goings on in the school 
since that new teacher come. 

(Enter Biddy R. her face is blackened, her apron burnt.) 

Biddy. Ah, Miss Long, come quick, the house is all on fire ! 

Mrs. Long (jumping up). Where? 

Biddy. The kitchen is all ablaze (dropping into chair). May 
the saints perserve us! (Rocks back and forth crying.) Oh, 
my ! Oh, my ! 

(The ladies rush out R. Mrs. Butler, when she reaches the 
door, runs back to save her patchwork.) 

(Exeunt Mrs. Long, Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Butler, R.) 

(Biddy continues crying.) 

(Enter Teacher, L.) 

Tr. Why, Biddy, what is the matter? 

Biddy. It's glad I am to see you. We're in awful troubles. 

Tr. Is it your sister? 

Biddy (between sobs). Ah, no, it's not her again. 

Tr. Tell me what you are crying about. 

Biddy. It's like this. The Missus sent me to put Mrs. Sharp's 
horse in the barn. When I came in my fire was most out, and 
her biscuits ready for the oven. 

Tr. Yes. 

Biddy. Then I took the ile can, which I shouldn't have 
touched, and poured some ile in the stove. The next thing I 
knew the fire jumped right out into my face to meet me. Ah, 
it's burnin' of the house I am. 

Tr. Bidd}^, don't take on so, the house isn't burning. 

Biddy. Ah, sure an' it is. The kitchen is all ablaze. 

Tr. Then we must put it out. 

(Exit Teacher, R.) 

(Biddy rocks back and forth crying lustily.) 

(Enter ladies followed by Kate and Nina.) 

Mrs. Long. Biddy, you've made an awful mess out there. 

Biddy. Is the fire out, mum? 

Mrs. Long. There wasn't any, but there might have been. 
How many times have I got to tell you not to pour oil in the 
stove ? 

Mrs. Butler. That was an awful careless thing to do. 
Mrs Sharp. It's a wonder you didn't blow yourself up. 
Biddy (rising). Sure an' I'll naver do it again even if me fire 
is as dead an' as black as MacManus' black dog. 

Mrs. Long. Now you hurry and clean up that black soot. 
It's all over everything. 
Tr. I'll help you, Biddy. 

(Exeunt Biddy and Teacher, R.) 
Mrs. Butler. Them hired girls is sometimes more trouble 



20 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

than they are worth. My mother always kept one and some- 
times two. I wasn't brought up to work in the kitchen. 

Kate. Ma, can we have something to eat? 

Mrs. Long. Yes, go out in the kitchen and ask Biddy to give 
you a piece of cake. 

Kate. Cake, Oh, goody ! Come on, Nina. 

(Exeunt Kate and Nina, R.) 

Mrs. Butler. How did you come out in the trouble you had 
with Jensen over his dog killing your sheep? 

Mrs. Long. We didn't come out at all. 

Mrs. Butler. I heard you were going to sue Jensen. 

Mrs. Long. That's what we wanted to do, but we couldn't 
get Miss Best to appear as a witness. She knew more about it 
than anyone else. She saw the dead sheep, and she saw the dog. 

Mrs. Sharp. If you had her subpoened as a witness wouldn't 
she have to go? 

Mrs. Long. But she woijldn't swear that it was Jensen's 
dog. Jake was awful mad about it. 

(Enter Teacher, R.) 

Tr. Biddy would like to know what table cloth to use. 
Mrs. Long (disgustedly). As if she didn't know what cloths 
I have. I'll go out and see about it. 

(Exit Mrs. Long, R.) 

Mrs. Butler. We were just talking about Jensen's dog kill- 
ing Long's sheep. Mrs. Long says you saw him do it. Why 
wouldn't you appear in court? 

Tr. Because I didn't see him do it. When I went to school 
one morning I saw some dead sheep in the pasture, and a yellow 
dog running across the field. 

Mrs. Sharp. Well, Jensen's dog is yaller, ain't he? 

Tr. Yes, but there are lots of yellow dogs around. I couldn't 
swear that the dog I saw was Mr. Jensen's. It might have be- 
longed to some other farmer. 

Mrs. Butler. I guess you were wise to keep out of the 
neighborhood row. There has been trouble between Long and 
Jensen ever since the dispute over the boundary line. 

(Exit Teacher, R.) 

Mrs. Sharp (looking after her). You can see, plain as day, 
why she held off. She certainly knows Jensen's dog when she 
sees him. 

Mrs. Butler. I heard that Long wouldn't speak to her for 
weeks after it happened. He has an awfully sulky disposition. 

(Enter Mrs. Long, R.) 

Mrs. Sharp. Don't the teacher set with you when she is to 
home? 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 21 

Mrs. Long. No, she stays in the kitchen for the most part. 
She claims she can't stand tobacco smoke, and Jake, of course, 
has to have his pipe. We are just as well pleased. I never did 
want to board the teacher, but no one else would have her. 
(Nina and Kate appear in door eating cake.) 

Mrs. Sharp. She ain't just the kind of a teacher we want 
any way. I guess she'll soon get her walking papers. 

Mrs. Butler. She's got no folks. What will become of her? 

M^s. Long. From the number of letters she gets, I guess 
there is someone wants her worse than we do? 

Mrs. Butler. Has she got a beau ? 

Mrs. Long. I can't say as to that. I read one of the postal 
cards she got the other day. There was somethin' writ on it in 
a foreign language. I couldn't read it, but I s'pose it was some 
love message. 

Mrs. Sharp. She's so close mouthed, I s'pose she wouldn't 
tell you even if she had a beau. 

(Enter Biddy, R.) 

Biddy. Your supper is ready, mum. 

Mrs. Butler (rising eagerly). Now that's a shame to get a 
meal for us. We could have gone home as well as not. 

Mrs. Long. You won't get a meal, just a little bite. 
(Exeunt Biddy, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Butler, and Mrs. Sharp, R.) 

Nina (coming to center). Did you hear what that mean, old 
Mrs. Sharp said about our teacher? 

Kate. I hate her, I do. I wish I could kill her. 

Nina. I wish we could play some trick on her to get even. 

Kate. Let's. What can we do? 

Nina. We might take a wheel off her buggy and hide it 
like they did to Joe Schmitt when he got married ; or we might 
poison her horse. 

Kate, We can't. We don't know how. 

Nina. What can we do? 

(Enter Teacher, R.) 

Tr. Don't you want to come out in the kitchen and have 
something to eat? 

Kate. We just had something. Miss Best, did you ever 
play a trick on anyone? 

Tr. (thinking). When I was at boarding school we played 
a trick on some of the girls. (Laughing.) It was awfully 
funny. 

Nina. What did you do? 

Tr. We sewed up the sleeves of their night gowns. They 
couldn't get them on. You ought to do it some time. (Laugh- 
ing.) It's lots of fun. 

(Enter Biddy, R.) 

Biddy. The ladies want you to set down with 'em, Miss Best. 



22 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Tr. All right Biddy. Thank you for telling me. (Laugh- 
ing.) It's too funny for words to see them trying to get their 

(Exit Biddy and Teacher.) 

Kate. Let's sew up her coat sleeves (going to table.) 
Here is a needle. 

Nina. Here is another. Which is her coat? 

Kate. I don't know. Suppose we sew up both of them. I 
guess they both said mean things about Miss Best. 

Nina (sewing). Won't it be fun to see the mean old hens 
trying to get their coats on? 

Kate (sewing). It just serves them right. 

Nina. You bet it does. Won't they be awful mad though. 
(Breaking her thread.) Mine's done. 

Kate. So is mine. We'll have to put them back where we 
found them. (Putting down coat.) 

Nina. I guess I'd better go home now. 

Kate, Aren't you going to wait and ride with Mrs. Sharp ? 

Nina. No, I guess I'd better go while the going is good. 

Kate. I'll go a piece with you. 

(Enter Teacher, R.) 

Tr. Kate, your mother wants you. 
Nina. Got to go. Good-bye. 

(Exit Nina, L.) 

(Enter Mrs. Long, Mrs. Sharp, and Mrs. Builer picking teeth.) 

Mrs. Sharp. I'm sorry to have to "eat and run" as the say- 
in' is, but you know how it is with farmers' wives ; there are so 
many chores to do. 

Mrs. Butler (putting on coat). We have had a beautiful 
time. You must come over and see me real soon. 

Mrs. Long. I'll bring the recipe for that chocolate cake if I 
can find it. 

Mrs. Sharp (who has been struggling with her coat). I 
can't seem to find the hole in this sleeve. 

Mrs. Long. Maybe you got your arm inside the lining. 
Mine sometimes does that. 

Mrs. Butler. I can't seem to get into my coat either. (Strug- 

9 ^^-^ (Enter Teacher and Kate.) 

Mrs. Sharp (examining sleeve). No wonder I couldn't get 
in. My sleeves are sewed up. 

Mrs. Butler (who has ripped sleeve out of coat). So are 
mine. 

Mrs. Long. Who do you s'pose ever did that ? 

Mrs. Sharp. Them kids, likely. I heard them giggling about 
something. 

Mrs. Long (taking hold of Kate). Did you sew up Mrs. 
Sharp's coat? (Shaking her.) Answer me, did you? 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 23 

Kate. Yes, ma, I did. I didn't think — 

Mrs. Long. Well, you go up stairs, and take off your clothes, 
and go to bed. When I get time I'll tend to you, young lady. 
I'll make you think. 

Tr. Please don't punish her. I'm afraid that I'm the guilty 
one. I told the girls about sewing up some night gowns when I 
was in boarding school. That gave them the idea. 

Mrs. Sharp. So you are up to fool tricks, too. 

Mrs. Butler. Who ever would have thought it? 

Tr. I'm very sorry about your sleeve, Mrs. Butler. Let me 
fix it for you. Here is a' needle. 

Mrs. Butler. No, I see Biddy has the horse ready. We will 
go home. Good-bye, Mrs. Long. 

Mrs. Sharp. Good-bye. Come and see me. (Both ignore 
Miss Best.) 

(Exeunt Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Butler, L.) 

Kate. The mean old things. 

Mrs. Long. Kate, shut up, they'll hear you. 

Kate. It wasn't teacher's fault a bit. Nina and I did it all 
ourselves. 

Mrs. Long. Well, don't you ever do such a thing again or 
I'll whip you good. Now go and wash those dirty dishes. 

Tr. I'll help you, Kate. 

(Exeunt Kate and Teacher, R.) 
(Knock L. Mrs. Long goes to door.) 
Mrs. .Long. Come right in Larry. 

(Enter Larry, R.) 

Larry. Good afternoon, Mrs. Long. 

Mrs. Long. Have a chair. (Pause.) Did you want to see 
Mr. Long about something? 

Larry. No, ma'am. (Pause.) 

Mrs Long. Did your mother send you on an errand? 

Larry. No, ma'am. (Pause.) 

Mrs. Long (anxiously) . It's pretty good weather for Decem- 
ber. 

Larry. Yes, ma'am. (Pause, Mrs. Long dusts chair with 
handkerchief, nervously.) 

Mrs. Long. Is there anything I can do for you? 

Larry. Is the teacher around? 

Mrs. Long. Oh, that's what you want. We'll I'm glad to 
know. I'll get her. 

(Exit Mrs. Long, L.) 

(Larry fixes tie and hair, brushes off shoes zvith handkerchief.) 



24 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

(Enter Teacher, L.) 

Tr. How do you do, Larry. This is indeed a surprise. 
(Shaking hands.) Have this chair. 

Larry. I thought you would be surprised, but I couldn't 
wait till tomorrow to see if the marks had come. 

Tr. Yes, Larry, they came on this mail. 

Larry (anxiously). How did I come out? 

Tr. I am glad to say that you passed in everything. 

Larry (rising). Oh, goody! 

Tr. I have the slips right here (taking them out of her 
waist.) 

Larry (laughing). Next your heart? 

Tr. (rising). Just look at your mark in arithmetic. 

Larry. Gee! That's great! (Looking at slips.) I even 
passed in grammar. I was the most afraid of that one. 

Tr. You got a fairly good mark, too. 78 isn't so bad. 

Larry, I owe it all to you. Miss Best, every bit of it, 

Tr. (laughing). I was under the impression that you did 
some of the work, but perhaps I am mistaken. Now you can 
enter the School of Agriculture. 

Larry. Sure, I'll send in my grades right away. 

Tr. (sitting). Larry, I'm glad that you have decided to be a 
farmer. We need good farmers, men who understand their 
work; farmers who can be leaders in their communities. 

Larry (sitting). That's the kind I'm going to be, you bet. 
And to think if you hadn't come here to teach I would have been 
batting around the city next year, looking for a job. 

Tr. I'm glad that you feel satisfied. Sometimes I get pretty 
discouraged. The people don't all like my teaching as well as 
you do. 

Larry, Now, don't you worry about that. Your teaching is 
the right kind. I know because I have had it. Don't you ever 
let these old knockers, who don't know what they are talking 
about, influence you. You have shown how farm life can be 
made way ahead of city life. 

Tr. I'm glad that you feel that way, Larry. That is what a 
rural teacher should do. 

Larry. I must go now (rising), but I want you to know that 
you have been a help and an (hesitating) inspiration to me. 

Tr. (rising and shaking hands): And you have been a help 
and an inspiration to me, too. It works both ways. 

Larry. I'm mighty glad I passed. Good-bye, teacher. 

Tr. I am just as glad as you are; but I shall miss my big bqy 
next term. Good-bye. 

Larry. You'll have to get another janitor, see. (Both 
laugh.) 

(Exit Larry, L.) 

Tr. (stands at door for a minute watching him go.) Come in 
Mr. Sharp. How do you do, Mr. Peterson? 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 25 

Mr. Sharp. Thanks, we will. 

Tr. Did you wish to see Mr. Long? Have some chairs and 
I'll call him. 

Mr. Sharp. No, our business is with you. We have just had 
a board meeting at my house, and we come 'round to talk things 
over with you. Ryan had to go home, but he thinks as we do. 
(They sit.) 

Tr. I have been waiting to see some member of the board 
to ask if we couldn't use some of our funds to buy a typewriter. 
We could get a rebuilt Underwood or Remington cheap. 

Mr. Peterson. Vat you want him for, ha? 

Tr. To teach the children typewriting. It is just as import- 
ant for a farmer to know how to write a good business letter 
as any other business man.- ' (Laughing.) You know that most 
of them, in this community, depend on their wives to write their 
letters. 

Mr. Sharp. More foolishness, Peterson. That's just what 
we come to see you about. We ain't pleased with the way you 
are runnin' this school. 

Tr. How do you know what I am doing? You have never 
visited the school. 

Mr. Sharp. Well, I've heard enough to know. 

Tr. What have you heard? Aren't the children pleased 
with their work? 

Mr. Peterson. Ya, dey like it all right. 

,Mr. Sharp. They like it too well; that's the trouble. It's 
just fool play, not work. When we send our children to school 
we want them to study. 

Tr. I'm trying to have them study the things that will help 
them on the farm. That is why I organized the boys' and girls' 
club work. 

Mr. Sharp. Well, that ain't what we hired you for. We can 
learn them to farm to home. But we didn't come here to hash 
words with you. We want a plain answer to a plain question, 
yes or no. Are or are you not going to cut out all this folderol 
stuff and aget down to brass tacks? We want our children 
learned the same way that we was learned. If you can't do it, 
then we are going to get another teacher. 

Tr. (rises and walks thoughtfully across room, then returns 
to center). You want a plain answer? Then my answer is this, 
gentlemen. As long as I stay here I am going to teach the 
things that will make the life on the farm more interesting to 
j^our children. If you don't like my methods, you can get an- 
other teacher. 

Mr. Sharp (rising). Well, Peterson, our business is done, 
we might as well go. 

Mr. Peterson (coming to center). Good-dagen. Ay tank 
you make von big mistake. My son Yohn, he tink you yust fine. 
But ay vont him to learn yust like Master Sharp say, ya. 



26 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Tr. Good-bye Mr. Eeterson. I'm sorry I can't please you, 
but I must do my work in the way that seems best to me. 
(Exeunt Sharp and Peterson, L.) 

Tr. (laughing and dropping into chair). Helen Maud Best, 
you're fired. 

(Enter Kate, R.) 

Kate. What did you say, Miss Best? And what are you 
laughing at ? 

Tr, We are both in disgrace now, Katie. These men are 
sending me away. 

Kate. Where are you going, to Auntie Williams? 

Tr. No, I can't go there. (Pause.) Where shall I go! 
(Drops face in hands.) 

Kate. We want you. (Kneeling by the chair.) Stay with us, 
Miss Best. (She presses face against teacher's and then steals 
into her arms.) Don't cry, teacher, please don't cry. 

Curtain. 



ACT III. 

Scene. Living room in the new teacherage. Doors right and 
left,, a window left center. On the right is a fire-place, in left 
center a library table with some books and magazines. Comfort- 
able chairs are scattered about. There are a few good pictures 
on the wall. The room is decorated with flowers. The furnish- 
ings are simple but artistic. 

Nina and Kate are standing near stage center. Nina is pow- 
dering her nose, Kate is putting on a face veil. 

Kate. Dear, I hope the train won't be late. 

Nina. Wouldn't that be a calamity. The program is so long 
I'm afraid there won't be much time left to dance. How do you 
think she will look? 

Kate. Sweet as a peach, if we may judge from ^Jie picture. 
Isn't it grand that she is coming here to teach? 

Nina. Do you know you have said that about a dozen times 
already? 

Kate. And you have said it more times than I have. Has 
Lawrence asked you for the first dance? 

Nina. No, I thought he had asked you. 

Kate (impatiently). I wonder why he doesn't come, it's 
getting late. 

Nina. I hope we don't miss the train. Do you remember 
when we called Lawrence "Larry"? Think of calling the big- 
gest man in the community "Larry". 

, Kate. I sometimes feel that I ought to call him Mr, Sprague, 
he seems such an important individual, even Lawrence is too 
familiar. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 27 

Nina. Isn't it wonderful how he has worked for our school 
since he came from St. Paul? 

Kate. What excitement there was when they voted for the 
bonds for this consolidated school. 

Nina. The most fun was when Lawrence ran for the school 
board. Don't you remember how the women all turned out and 
voted for him? 

Kate. We had all had enough of old Sharp and his crowd 
running the school. It was getting worse and worse every year. 
You know ma took me out. 

Nina. Oh, Kate, do you remember that dreadful sister of 
Mr. Sharp's that came to teach us the year after Miss Best 
left, the woman with the awful red hair and freckles? I was 
scared to death of her. 

Kate. Mr. Sharp bragged to pa that she had the best order 
in the county. 

Nina. And that awful man who whipped Gerald Mattson to 
make him stop lisping. 

Kate. Don't mention him ! It just makes the shivers go up 
and down my spine to think of those terrible days. That was 
when mother took me out of school. 

Nina. I stopped too. If things had gone on much longer 
there wouldn't have been any pupils left to teach. 

{Enter Gerald, R.) 

Gerald. Hello, girlths ! 

PCate. Are you going to the train with us, Gerald? 

Gerald. Yeth, if there ith room. ' There ith an awful big 
bunch waiting outside to go in the earths. 

Nina. They are all waiting for Lawrence. Kate and I are 
going in his car. I think there will be room for you too. 

Kate. He is going to bring the teacher back in his car. 

Nina {going to the window). Why don't he come! Gerald, 
won't you 'phone to the depot and see if the train is on time? 
The telephone is in the new office. 

Gerald. I know where it ith {going to door). Here comths 
Lawrenth now. 

{Exit Gerald, R.) 

Kate. Does my hat look all right? 

Nina. Lawrence won't look at you tonight, he is too excited 
about the new school teacher. 

{Enter Lawrence, R.) 

Lawrence. Well, girls, are you ready? 
Kate. Yes, we have been ready an hour. 
Nina. More or less. 

Lawrence. We'll have to hurry, the others have started. 
Sorry I'm so late. I had to go around by Riverside and get the 



28 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

ice cream. {Helping Kate on with her coat.) How nice you 
girls look. 

Kate. It's because we are on the reception committee to meet 
the new principal of our consolidated school. 

{Enter Mrs. Long, R.) 

Mrs. Long. How do you do, Lawrence? Did you get the 
ice cream? 

Lawrence. Yes, I left it out in the kitchen. 'Be sure and 
keep the door locked. How is the supper coming? 

Mrs. Long. Everything is lovely. We will be all ready to set 
down as soon as the program is over. We have chicken pie and — 

Kate {interrupting) . Ma, we must go. We are late now. 

Mrs. Long. Go on then. I'm not stopping you. 

{Exeunt Kate, Nina and Lawrence, L.) 
{Enter Mrs. Sharp, R.) 

Mrs. Sharp. I've just been through the school building and 
the cottage. My, ain't they fine ! 

Mrs. Long. Yes, indeed. The cottage has everything any- 
one can ask for. 

Mrs. Sharp. I s'pose that you are mighty glad that they 
have at last got a place for the teachers to live in so you won't 
have to board them. 

Gerald {outside). Kate, thay, Kate, {Enter Gerald, L.), 
Where are the girlths? 

Mrs. Long. They have gone. 

Gerald. Without me? 

Mrs. Long. I don't think they have started yet. Perhaps 
you can catch them. {Gerald begins looking around.) What 
are you looking for? 

Mrs. Long. I can find it. {Looks everywhere.) {Auto 
horn.) 

Mrs. Long. What is it? I'll help you. 

Gerald. It'h my cap. 

Mrs. Sharp. Are you crazy? The cap is on your head. 

Gerald. Tho it ith. Thanks. {Runs out.) 

{Exit Gerald, R.) 

Mrs. Sharp. They are all so excited over the teacher's com- 
ing that they don't know which end they are standing on. 

{Enter Mrs. Williams, R.) 

Mrs. Williams. How do you do Mrs. Sharp? {Shaking 
hands.) And Mrs. Long? I'm mighty glad to see both of you. 

Mrs. Long. I'm glad that you could come to the opening of 
our school house. 

Mrs. Sharp. This is one time our district got ahead of 
yourn. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 29 

Mrs. Williams. Where shall I put these hot rolls I brought 
for the supper? 

Mrs. Sharp. I'm glad that you have brought some of your 
famous Parker House rolls. I'll take them out in the kitchen. 

{Exit Mrs. Sharp, L.) 

Mrs. Long. Have you been through the new building? 

Mrs. Williams. Yes, and isn't it beautiful. I should think 
you would be very proud of it. 

Mrs, Long (beaming) . We are. 

Mrs. Williams. And to think that Hetty's little girl is to 
come back and live in this lovely cottage. 

Mrs. Long. We are tickled to death to get her back, espe- 
cially the young people who went to school to her. 

Mrs. Williams. They didn't want her to leave where she 
was teaching. They raised her salary 50 dollars. 

Mrs. Long. We heard about it. 

Mrs. Williams. She wrote me that she wanted to come back 
to the place where she started teaching. She said that she would 
never be happy until she had made good here. 

Mrs. Long. She was all right when she was here before! 
The trouble was the school board didn't know anything about 
modern methods of teaching. When the state inspector came 
around, she told them a few things. 

Mrs Williams. Of course, Helen was young and made mis- 
takes like all young folks do. But she has the best heart in the 
world, just like her mother. 

(Enter Gerald, R.) 

Mrs. Long. Didn't you go to the depot? 

Gerald. No, they went ofif and left me. 

Mrs. Williams. That's too bad. 

Gerald. I'm glad for I found out thompin' important. 

Mrs. Long. What? 

Gerald. I stharted to the depot — 

Mrs. Long. Did you think that you would catch up with the 
auto? 

Gerald. No, I thought I would meet them coming back. 
Then I thaw a whole bunch of fellerths, and they were putting on 
masks. 

Mrs. Long. Mercy on us ! What do you suppose they are 
up to? 

Gerald. I don't know. I run back just as fast as I could 
to tell you. 

Mrs. Williams. You don't suppose they are going to kid- 
nap Helen and carry her away, do you? 

Mrs. Long. I guess Lawrence Sprague wouldn't let them do 
that after he has worked so hard to get her here. I'll go out 
and tell the men folks to watch out. They are in the school 
building. 



30 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Mrs. Williams. It is probably that rough-neck crowd from 
the Creek. They are always hanging round at parties trying to 
steal the ice cream. 

Mrs. Williams. I'll take care of that, too. 
(Exit Mrs. Long, L.) 

Gerald. Mrs. Williams, did you come all the way over from 
your house to the opening exerthises of our new school? 

Mrs. Williams. To tell you the honest truth, son, Sam and 
T came all the way just to see the new teacher. 

Gerald. Tho did I. 

Mrs. Williams. I thought as much. 

Gerald. She was the bethst teacher we ever had. 

{Enter Biddy, R.) 

Biddy. How do you find yourself, Mrs. Williams {shaking 
hands). And isn't it a great day for us all? 

Mrs. Williams. Yes, indeed ! They tell me Biddy that jpou 
are going to keep house for the teachers. 

Biddy. Sure, I'll do that. It was the swate darlin' herself 
who always was sayin' that when we got a tacher's cottage I was 
to live with her. 

Mrs. Williams. She used to tell me how good you were to 
her. 

Biddy. So she wrote to Mr. Lawrence, she did, and she 
asked him to make me housekeeper. {Proudly.) And I'm to be 
chaperon — e too. 

Mrs. Williams. What for? 

Biddy. He said it was to kape the folks from talkin', but I 
guess they would have to sew up their mouths to do that. 

Mrs. Williams. Oh, yes, I see; the agricultural instructor 
is going to live here too. 

Biddy. That's it. I don't see why we need wan when its in- 
structin' the farmers Mr. Lawrence is all the time wid his farm- 
er's clubs. 

Mrs. Williams. I guess I'll see if I can help in the kitchen. 

{Exit Mrs. Williams, R.) 

Gerald. Biddy, doth this necktie look all right? 

Biddy. Sure, an' it it's fine enough for St. Patrick himself. 

Gerald. Doth my hair look all right? 

Biddy. It might be better if you didn't split it in the middle, 
but I s'pose that is the style. 

Gerald. Do you think these thocks are all right? {putting 
foot on table.) 

Biddy. Well, you will have to ask someone that knows about 
that. Sure, an' I niver wore any. One would think from the 
style of ye that ye had your cap set for the teacher herself. 

Gerald. I want to look all right. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 31 

Biddy. Maybe it's that little Katie you have got your eye on, 
eh? 

Gerald. Oh, no, Biddy. She isn't pretty enough. 

Biddy. Or Nina wid her snappin' black eyes. 

Gerald, Shuck ! Biddy, I wouldn't look at her. 

Biddy. Well, whoever it is, may the saints preserve them 
when they see that git up. 
(Auto horn.) 

Gerald. Here they are now ; I muthst go. 

(Exit Gerald, R.) 
Biddy. Ah, the consate of these kids ! 

(Enter Mrs. Sharp, R.) 

Mrs. Sharp. They've come, Biddy, and the exercises in the 
auditorium are going to begin right away. 

Biddy. I'll be along directly. I want to give the new fur- 
nature another rub. 

Mrs. Sharp. It doesn't have a speck of dust on it now. You'd 
better come. 

(Exit Mrs. Sharp, L.) . . 

(Biddy begins dusting the room.) 

(Enter Miss Best, L., followed by Kate, Nina, Lawrence, Mrs. 
Butler and Mrs. Long.) 

Tr. Biddy, I couldn't go to the exercises until I had seen 
you. (Embracing her.) You were the kindest friend a silly, lit- 
tle school teacher ever had. 

Biddy (zviping her eyes). Ah, go on now! (Taking her face 
in her hands). Sure, an you are the same swate girl that you 
was when you left us, you ain't changed wan bit. 

Tr. I have, Biddy. I may not look it but I hope that I know 
a lot more than I did when I was here before (looking around). 
I suppose this is our living room. It couldn't be more home- 
like and comfortable, 

Kate. It was Lawence's plan. 

Lawrence. You and Nina helped me select the things. 

Mrs. Butler. They are in excellent taste. We used to have 
a table something like that one when I was a girl at home. You 
know my father was a wealthy man. I was well brought up. 

(Enter Mr. Peterson, R.) 
Tr. (shaking hands). How do you do Mr. Peterson? 
Mr. Peterson. Pretty gude. How's yourself? 
Tr. I'm very well, thank you. 
Mr. Peterson. Have you seen my boj^ Yohn? 
Tr. No, but I want to see him. 

Mr. Peterson. He ban here. I don't tank you know ham. 
He ban one big Swede now. 



■52 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Tr. That is good. What is he doing, farming? 

Mr. Peterson. No, he vork for de goverment tasting milk, 
yust like you had ham do to school. I tell you he vant to see 
you right away quick. 

Tr. I want to see him too, Mr. Peterson. 

Mr. Peterson. Ay can't speak Anglish gude, but ve all pretty 
glad to see you back hare. My boy, Yohn, he gat seventy-fam 
.dollar a month vorking'for de goverment. 

Tr. I'm very glad to hear that he is doing so well. 

{Enter Mrs. Sharp, L.) 

Mrs. Sharp. I guess we had better move on to the audi- 
torium ; they are ready to begin. Has any one seen my man ? I 
can't find him. 

{Great commotion begins outside, heating pans, ringing cow- 
hells, tooting horns. Those on stage are excited.) 

Mrs. Williams. It's a charivari. Has anyone been married? 

{Enter Gerald, excited, R.) 

Gerald. The masked men I thaw are all around the school 
houth. 

Lawrence. I hope they don't mean any mischief. I must 
see. 

Kate. Oh ! don't go out, Lawrence. They may hurt you. 

Nina {holding him). Please don't go. 

Lawrence. I must. 

{Exit Lawrence, R.) 

{Noise stops.) 

Biddy. Why don't you go help him? 

Gerald. I guess I'd better not. I might spoil my new 
clothes. 

Kate {looking out of window). There is a big crowd around 
the school house. 

Mrs. Butler. What are they doing? 

Kate. I think they want to drown out the meeting. 

Tr. {laughing). What a joke! The exercises haven't begun 
yet. 

Biddy. Maybe its serenading you they are-, Miss Best. 

Kate. Just look ! they are running like mad down the hill. 

Nina {at window). Lawrence and the other boys are after 
them. 

Kate. One of them has tumbled down. Larry is picking him 
up. 

Mrs. Williams. Is he hurt? 

Kate. It's too dark to see. He is trying to get away. Now 
the boys are helping him. 

Mrs. Sharp {jumping on chair near window). What- boys? 
I can't see. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 2>?> 

Nina. They are our own boys. They've captured him and 
are bringing him in. 

Tr. This is exciting. 

Biddy. Sure, an' the German war has nothing on the likes 
of us. 

Kate. Oh, oh, oh! He's going to get away. {Opening win- 
dow.) Hang on to him, JLawrence. Girls, let's help. 

{Exeunt Kate and Nina, L.) 

Mrs. Williams. I wonder where Sam is. 

Tr. {going to her). Don't worry. Auntie, he's all right. 

Mrs. Williams. But it might be one of those awful I. W. 
W.'s and he might be armed. 

Mrs. Butler. Do you think the rest of the gang will attack 
us? I wish they would let him go. 

{Struggle is heard outside.) 
{Enter Lawrence, L., with others dragging a masked man.) 

Mr. Sharp. Let me go, I say. 

Lawrence. We will as soon as we find out who you are, and 
what you and your gang are trying to do. {Tries to take off 
mask. ) 

Mr. Sharp. Let me alone. I'm all right. 

{Lawrence pulls off mask showitig the face of Mr. Sharp. 
Pause.) 

Mr. Sharp {doggedly). I hope you're satisfied now. 

Mrs. Long. Well, of all things ! 

Biddy. That we should ever live' to see such a sight. 

Mr. Sharp. I didn't mean any harm. I just got out with 
the boys to have a little sport. 

Biddy. It's sport you call it? Wall, it's a quare kind of sport 
I'm afther thinkin', frightenin' us out of a year's growth. 

{Tr. goes to Biddy and takes her down, L.) 

Mrs. Sharp {coming to center). Biddy is right, and it's a 
queer kind of sport for an old man, and a respectable member of 
the community to be indulgin' in. I'm so disgraced that I'm 
speechless. What must our neighbors think of us? You getting 
out with a black rag over your face, and ringing a cow bell and 
beating on my old dish pan until we can't hear our own ears. 
Is it stark crazy you are? Such goings on ! I've a mind to leave 
you, I have, and these people would bear me out. Oh, I'm so 
ashamed I can't think. 

Tr. {going to her). Mrs. Sharp you are making a mountain 
out of a little mole hill. No doubt Mr. Sharp was celebrating 
the opening of the new consolidated school. I remember he 
always took a great interest in the school. I'd like to think they 
were giving me a serenade. Let's call it that. Lawrence, can't 
you bring them all back and give them some ice cream? 

Lawrence. At the rate they started they are at Koon Creek 
by this time. I suppose that it was that rough-neck bunch. 



34 AS THE TWIG IS BENT 

Mr. Sharp. , Teacher, you're on the square, and that is more 
than I have been with you. It was that roudy bunch from Koon 
Creek. They wanted to hook some of the supper. Then I en- 
couraged them to give you a hot reception, too. You have taken 
it like a lady. I didn't deserve it. Marty isn't the only one that 
is ashamed of old Peter Sharp. I'm ashamed of myself. 

Tr. Don't say that. This is a momentous event in all of our 
lives, and we aren't going to ha\^ any one saying disagreeable 
things about themselves or anyone else. Come in to the audi- 
torium, every one of you, for the fun is going to begin. Lead the 
way, Lawrence. 

Lawrence. Listen to her bossing us around like she used to 
do when we were her kids. 

(Exeunt Lawrence, Kate, Nina, Mrs. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, 
Mrs. Long and Gerald, L.) 

Biddy. Isn't she the wonder now ! Just to see how she won 
the heart of that old rascal. Did you ever see the bate of it? 

Mrs. Williams. She is for all the world like her mother. 
Hetty was a beautiful girl. Everybody loved her. They just 
couldn't help it. 

(Enter Tr., L.) 

Tr. Come Aunty, and Biddy, too. You will miss the enter- 
tainment. I'll be there in a minute. I left my hand bag some- 
where and I must powder my nose and make myself presentable. 

Biddy. Can't I help you now? 

Tr. No, I want you to get front seats so you can hear my 
speech. It is the effort of my life. 

(Exeunt Mrs. Williams and Betty, L.) 

(She drops down in a chair and assumes a thoughtful attitude.) 

(Enter Lawrence, L.) 

Lawrence (looking at her for a minute). A penny for your 
thoughts. 

Tr. (laughing) . They aren't worth even a halfpenny. I was 
thinking how really wonderful it is to be here again, and to find 
my old pupils grown up and doing things worth, while for the 
community. Then this teacher's cottage ! Do you remember 
how I used to dream about it? I will never again say that 
dreams don't come true, Lawrence. 

Lawrence. I suppose you have forgotten the motto you gave 
us once. I am going to make it the central thought of my ad- 
dress tonight. "As the twig is bent, the tree inclines." You 
surely tried to start us right. But call me Larry, please, just as 
you used to do. 

Tr. I thought you didn't like the name, and whipped every 
boy who called you that when you came home from school. 

Lawrence. Nevertheless, I want you to call me that. 



AS THE TWIG IS BENT 35 

Tr. Very well, anything to accommodate you, for you have 
done so much for me. 

Lawrence. You haven't had much time to look around, but 
if you want to make any changes — 

Tr. I won't. It is very complete. Tell me, who planned the 
laboratory. Did you? 

Lawrence. No, I bribed a teacher of domestic science up at 
school to draw the plans. 

Tr. I only took a peep at it, but I saw enough to know that 
we are going to enjoy our cooking lessons immensely. 

Lawrence. I only ask that you don't get too fond of your 
job. like some teachers I know. 

Tr. Why? 

Lawrence {hesitating) . Because I'm going to ask you to re- 
sign at the end of the year. 

Tr. {jumping up in alarm). What do you mean? 

Lawrence. I didn't plan to tell you yet, but I hope to have a 
better position for you then. 

Tr. {going to him). Tell me about it 

Lawrence. Do you remember that day when the tramp came 
into the school-house and frightened you so? 

Tr. When he scared the wits out of me, yes. 

Lawrence. And I protected you. 

Tr. You were the hero that day. 

Lav/rence. Well, when I had you in my arms — 

Tr. I did do the clinging vine act, didn't I ? I am ashamed 
of you for reminding me of it. 

Lawrence. That day marked the beginning of a new life for 
rhe. I guess I passed from the kid stage into manhood. Anyway 
a great .resolve took possession of me. 

Tr. And this beautiful school is the result? 

Lav/fence. Don't you understand? I was sure that you 
M ould g ess it from m/ letters. 

Tr. {laughing). Perhaps I'm dense. 

(Overture heard at distance.) 

Lawrence. It was that some day I would have the right to 
hold you in my arms, may I? 

Voice {outside). Miss Best, Lawrence, where are you? It's 
time to begin. 

Lawrence. Is it asking too much? Tell me. 

Tr. Larry. It would be setting a very bad example to other 
teachers ; but I'll think about it. {He puts his arm around her 
and they go off la'-^ghing.) 

{Ex 'unt Miss Best and Lawrence, L.) 

{Curtain.) 



